BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of February 27, 2007

 

The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present.  Commissioner Pearce was present via phone.  The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

The Board attended the 3rd Annual Community Growth Meeting at 8:30 a.m. this morning at Rock Creek Center, 710 SW Rock Creek Drive in Stevenson.

 

Dan Wear advised of concerns with the R-10 zoning in Section 20 of the proposed West End Community Subarea Plan, and requested a change to FA-20.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

1.       Minutes for week of February 20, 2007.

2.       Liquor license application for Wind Mountain changing location from 11 Delina Lane to 50151 Highway 14.

3.       Certification of 2007 Property Tax Levy for Fort Vancouver Regional Library District.

4.       Memorandum of Understanding with US Dept of Agriculture-Gifford Pinchot National Forest clarifying the intentions of the parties regarding Wind River Nursery Site.

5.       Agreement with Office of the Interagency Committee to provide funding for the planning & permitting for Wind River Boat Ramp improvements.

6.       Agreement with ESRI, Inc for maintenance of GIS software for Dept of Emergency Management.

7.       Mutual Aid Agreement between Skamania County, City of Stevenson, and Washington State Department of Transportation Highways and Local Programs Service Center for the exchange of mutual aid to protect life and property in the event of an emergency declared by local and/or state government approving authority.

 

Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director gave a staff report on proposed Resolution 2007-12 to adopt and endorse the West End Community Comprehensive Subarea Plan and Associated Plan Maps, as recommended by the Planning Commission.  Following discussion, which included designations in Section 20 of Township 2 North, Range 5 East, WM, Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to adopt Resolution 2007-12 the West End Community Comprehensive Subarea Plan and Associated Plan Maps, as presented.

 

The Board and Prosecutor discussed a draft letter from Public Works to the property owners of the structure at 101 Piper Road regarding the status of the structure, advising the draft letter would be further discussed at a workshop with Public Works on Wednesday, February 28, 2007.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to ratify the Chair’s signing of the Federal Annual Certification Report for law enforcement equitable sharing activity.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to ratify the Board’s signing of a letter to the Governor’s Office of Regulatory Assistance opposing the removal of Hemlock Dam.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to enroll in Washington State Association of Counties Financial Services Corporation Inmate Medical Claims Administration Program.

 

The meeting recessed at 1:28 p.m. Tuesday, February 27, 2007 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson and Tolfree present.  Commissioner Pearce was present via phone.

 

A public hearing was held, continued from December 21, 2006 and January 30, 2007, for Board deliberations to consider Ordinance 2006-15 adopting new Chapter 6.12 to Skamania County Code entitled Right To Farm to promote & protect agriculture and farm forestry and its dependent rural communities; and to recognize & encourage subsistence farming on all parcels of land within Skamania County.  The hearing was previously closed to public comment.  Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director gave a staff report and an overview of changes to the proposed ordinance approved at the January 30, 2007 public hearing as follows: Section 6.12.030 adding a new #5 Forest Land definition; Section 6.12.040 adding a new paragraph #4 to include forestry use; and Section 6.12.050 adding a new paragraph #3 to include forestry use.  Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to approve Ordinance 2006-15.  Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to correct language in the last two Whereas’ of the ordinance to reflect that the January 30, 2007 hearing was closed to public comment and continued to February 27, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. for deliberations, and approval of the ordinance on February 27, 2007.

 

The meeting recessed at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, February 27, 2007 and reconvened at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, February 28, 2007, with Commissioners Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss Rock Creek Slide, short plat issues, Solid Waste automatic bailer, County Road Fund publication options, summer college employees, and Department Head overtime, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Planning and Community Development to discuss Underwood development, stormwater utility district draft ordinance, enforcement issues, Tips for Rural Living Booklet, and Census 2010, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Recreation and Facilities Director to discuss Parks and Recreation Master Plan, grant programs, and County facilities configuration plans, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, February 28, 2007 and reconvened at 1:35 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Linda Schneider, Director for Washington Gorge Action Programs to discuss a Homeless Housing Plan, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 2:40 p.m. Wednesday, February 28, 2007 and reconvened at 11:09 a.m. Thursday, March 1, 2007, with Commissioners Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve 13th month vouchers for the period ending December 31, 2006 in the total amount of $62.30.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve vouchers for the period ending March 1, 2007 in the total amount of $112,138.19.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to rescind the authorization to pay overtime to FLSA exempt employees, effective March 1, 2007, for excess work performed for emergency purposes due to the local emergency declared on February 5, 2007.

 

A public hearing was held to consider Resolution 2007-11 Supplemental Budget #4 for 2006 to supplement budgets for various department funds due to unanticipated expenditures and revenues unknown at the time of passing the 2006 budget.  Marilyn Butler advised of the need to amend the resolution to include an additional $65.00 in the Superior Court budget.  Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve Resolution 2007-11 Supplemental Budget #4 for 2006, as amended.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:22 a.m. Thursday, March 1, 2007 and reconvened at 1:05 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Richardson and Tolfree present.  Commissioner Pearce was present via phone.

 

Commissioner Pearce reported from Washington DC on a Senate bill hearing to restore the Forest County Safety Net, and FEMA reimbursement for cost recovery for Piper Road landslide.

 

The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 1, 2007.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON